RACING:AUSTRALIAN SPEEDBALL Ortensia gets the vote in a fantastic renewal of the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York today.

After a superb performance in the Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup night, Paul Messara’s mare was expected to take the British sprinting scene by storm this summer.

Ortensia was a big noise for the King’s Stand Stakes at Ascot but flattered to deceive, while the ground was completely against her over six furlongs in the July Cup. Having had time to acclimatise before the King George Stakes at Goodwood, however, she showed her true colours.

Settled at the rear of a frantic early pace by William Buick, the seven-year-old burst through the pack to win going away.

Given she was giving weight to all the boys at Goodwood, it advertised the fact once again the Australian sprinters are head and shoulders above their British counterparts. York specialist Hamish McGonagall could give the selection most to do.